The anxious father and his teenage son sat before the psychic. How far is your son traveling? the psychic asked. To the big city, the man replied, and he will be gone for a long time. Handing the father a talisman (a kind of good-luck charm), he said, This will protect him wherever he goes.
I was that boy. However, that psychic and that talisman could do nothing for me. While in that city, I put my faith in Jesus. I threw away the talisman and clung to Christ. Having Jesus in my life guaranteed Gods presence.
Thirty years later, my father, now a believer, said to me as we rushed my brother to the hospital, Let us first pray; the Spirit of God goes with you and will be with you all the way! We had learned that Gods presence and power is our only security.
Moses learned a similar lesson. He had a challenging task from Godto lead the people out of bondage in Egypt and into the Promised Land (Exodus 3:10). But God assured him, I will be with you (v. 12).
Our journey too is not without challenges, but were assured of Gods presence. As Jesus told His disciples, I am with you always, to the very end of the age (Matthew 28:20).
INSIGHT
For the enslaved Israelites, part of the reality of Gods presence was evidenced in His awareness of what they were suffering. In Exodus 3:7 we read, The Lord said, I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. This should be encouraging to us as well. In our own seasons of struggle and pain, knowing that God is intimately aware of our suffering is the first step in trusting Him for the help and strength we need to endure. Not only does He see the struggle of His people, He moves to act on our behalf. In an ultimate sense, this is the same compassion that fueled the crossHe knows the depths of our brokenness and, in Christ, has provided a way of rescue.